Here Comes The Sun

"April showers bring May flowers,” we all know the saying, but there’s more here than just the literal and obvious meaning. This saying as well as the present month (or our present situation) should remind us that even the rainiest and cloudiest of days will soon brighten and bring about a whole new season of sunny days ahead. Much similar to “After a storm comes a calm,” or a personal favorite, “This too shall pass”.

So here we are in April, and while we all may catch some rainy days (literally and figuratively) the temps are at least warming up, and because of that – we think it’s a nice season to get outside a bit more. And what better reason than raising awareness and funding for breast cancer research? Exactly, there is no better reason :) !!

Let’s talk walks, again. This time we want to let you know about the Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure. We’re sure you’ve heard of the foundation and even the races (which we will get into more in a bit) but do you know about Susan or how the foundation became her namesake?

First diagnosed in 1977 Susan fought a three year battle with breast cancer before she passed at the young age of 36 in 1980. Now as you can imagine back in 1980, things were nowhere near where they are today with vastly limited resources, information, treatment options and the like. But in Susan’s honor, her sister made sure this would not be the case for much longer.

Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister Susan that she would do everything she could to help end breast cancer. And two years later it was clear she didn't take that promise lightly. The close pair, pictured above in happier times (Susan left, Nancy right), nearly resembled twins!

In 1982 the Susan G. Komen organization was founded and 35 years later it's not only still standing but now the world’s largest nonprofit source of funding for breast cancer. In its first year, the organization awarded its first research grant of many more to come to Dr. Gary Spitzer at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for $28,000. A year later, the now famous Race For The Cure kicked off for the very first time in Dallas, Texas with 800 participants.

But as Nancy made headway with SGK, she had her own face-off with the disease being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983 and undergoing a double mastectomy followed by a strict regimen of chemo treatment.

Thankfully Nancy came out on the other side of her diagnosis, allowing her to continue to keep her promise to her sister. And despite personal battles along the way, Nancy's dedication to her promise paid off. Since its start SGK has invested more than $2.6 billion in advocacy, research, community health outreach and programs in more than 60 countries worldwide! Today at 70, and a survivor herself, we are certain Nancy must feel she has fulfilled her promise to Susan and honored her memory.

If you are interested in participating in a Race here are some in the area, but for more info and a list of all dates and all locations, check out SGK's Race For The Cure page.

Upcoming 2017 Race For The Cure Events

New Jersey

Jersey City - May 21

Jackson - November 5

Connecticut

Westport - May 6

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia - May 14

New York*

Elmira - May 21

*As of now there is no posted info on any closer locations in NY but we will keep you informed if any details emerge.

Whether or not you Race For The Cure, we hope wherever you are, you get outside and keep moving. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

Check us out later in the month when we intro our April survivor.... until then, you guessed it.... Keep your Eye on Strength ;)